A Deliciously Tasty Maryland Crap Soup Recipe
Maryland is world famous for its delectable crab caught in the Chesapeake Bay. Crabbing has been one of the main industries in Maryland since the 1800s. These tasty crustaceans are known for their large size and buttery taste. So what better way to use them than in a lovely soup?
Though crab soup in Maryland has been around in various forms since the Native people lived on the banks of the bay, the modern-day version came with the famous crab boil. Folks realized that the liquid they’d boiled and seasoned their crab and veggies in was just too tasty to toss.
This became the blueprint for what we now know as the tangy, tomato-filled Maryland-style crab soup. If you’re looking for an authentic recipe for this fantastic soup, look no further. This one is so good, you’ll think your sitting in a Chesapeake chowder pot.
A Deliciously Tasty Maryland Crab Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 2 cups of beef or vegetable stock
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 1/2 pound of green beans, cut into half inch pieces
- 1 cup of fresh corn kernels
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 1 cup of Lima beans (frozen or fresh)
- 1/2 cup of peas (frozen or fresh)
- 4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons of Old Bay
- 1-1/2 teaspoons of dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of dill
- 1-28 ounce can of whole, peeled plum tomatoes
- 1 pound of fresh blue crab meat
- salt and pepper to taste
- a pinch of red pepper flakes
Directions
1. In a large pot, combine the carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, green beans, corn, Lima beans, Worcestershire, Old Bay, mustard, and red pepper flakes.
2. Pour the water and stock into the pit. Add in the can of tomatoes, squishing them through your hand into the pot. Add all the juice. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Add the crabmeat to the stock and simmer for another 45 minutes, stirring often. Season to taste. Soup will be done when the carrots and potatoes are tender.
How Long Will Maryland Crab Soup Last?
This delicious soup will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to place it in an airtight container or bag. If you wish to freeze the soup, it will last indefinitely, but it’s recommended that you eat it within 2-3 months for the best flavor. To freeze, place the soup in a freezer safe bag and lay it flat.
How Do You Pick The Best Maryland Crabs?
There is something primal about digging into a fresh crab with your bare hands. One feels like they’ve put in the work for this delightful delicacy. However, few things are more disgusting (from a food standpoint) than a bad crab. One mistake when picking that cute crustacean could make you quite ill.
The good news is, it’s pretty easy to spot a bad one. First, always buy live, cooked or processed crab. Never buy a dead or sickly crab. If you’re buying live ones, they should look and act well. A healthy crab will be moving about.
The exposed flesh should be white. If it’s brown or yellow, that means it’s begun to decompose. The flesh should be a bit moist, but not have any slime or mucus. If it does, that means it’s started to decompose.
Also, be sure to smell them. Good crab will smell slightly sweet and like the sea, not fishy, like bleach, or other off odors. Be sure to always check the date on the processed crab.
What Can I Serve With Maryland Crab Soup?
Though a heaping bowl of Maryland crab soup can definitely fill you up, sometimes we may crave a bit more. So what can you pair with your delicious, tomato-based creation? The possibilities are endless, so here’s a sampling.
1. Cheesy Garlic Bread
The garlic and cheese make a perfect pairing with the tangy tomato and herbs in the soup. Plus, you can use it to soak up the remnants.
2. Coleslaw
Some crunchy coleslaw is a great way to balance the texture and flavors of the soup. It’s also refreshing and downright delicious.
3. Crab Cakes
What’s better than pairing crab with more crab? Crab cakes are the perfect compliment to crab soup.
4. Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
After historically being one of the most despised veggies, the world has fallen in love with the Brussel sprout. This salad is not only tasty and healthy, but a great way to keep your meal light.
5. Tater Tots
If you’ve got kids that are leery about crab soup, serving tater tots are a great way to coax them into trying it. The adults will not be mad about it either.
6. Sautéed Spinach
Get your greens in with this simple dish. It’s healthy, and the earthy flavor will go great with the tomato base of the soup.
7. Oven Fried Chicken
This easier version of fried chicken is a nice entree to serve with your crab soup. The combination is a terrific way to make your meal complete.
8. Dinner Rolls
If you want to keep it simple, just butter these bad boys up and dip away.
9. Potato Pancakes
These crispy potato cakes are the perfect complement to crab soup. Eat them on the side with some sour cream or apple sauce, or just dip them in the soup.
10. Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Introduced by Red Lobster, cheddar biscuits have become an iconic side of many seafood meals. These soft, cheesy puffs of pastry are delicious with soup.
What Is The Difference Between Maryland Crab Soup And She-Crab Soup?
While both are delicious and use Maryland blue crab, that’s where the similarities end. A She-crab is obviously a female crab. Therefore, they contain roe, or eggs, which are a key ingredient in giving the She-Crab soup its tasty flavor.
She-Crab soup also originated in Virginia, not Maryland. Lastly, She-Crab is a cream-based soup with Sherry as a key ingredient, unlike its cousin from the Chesapeake that is tomato based and does not add alcohol.
